Stephenson running back De’Quin Taylor (7) runs behind the block of tight end Reginald Witherspoon (87) in Jaguars’ win over Renfroe. (Photo by Travis Hudgons)
Three undefeated teams and one one-loss squad advanced to the 2015 Trail to the Title Middle School Football Playoff semifinals with victories this past Saturday at Hallford Stadium.
The first game of the opening round was a defensive battle as the Region 3 champion Stephenson Jaguars (7-0) shutout Region 1 runner-up Renfroe 12-0 to advance to the semifinals for the second consecutive year.
Stephenson was able to cash in some opportunities where Renfroe could not. The Jaguars to a three-yard run for a touchdown from Javier Morton to go up 6-0, but the Renfroe defense held on the two-point conversion try to keep the Bulldogs within six points.
An 18-yard pass from Ethan Walker to Dequandre Moore sealed the win as the Jaguar defense held Renfroe scoreless.
The Bulldogs Neiko Slaughter ran for some tough yards to lead the offense, but just could not find the end zone. Rasheed Wingo led the defense with an interception as Renfroe (4-3) held Stephenson to just the two scores.
Cedar Grove receiver Terrance Lewin cuts up field in Saints’ win over Champion. (Photo by Travis Hudgons)
Cedar Grove 48, Champion 14
Quarterback Earl Graham threw for five touchdowns and the defense returned two interceptions for touchdowns as defending Trail to the Title champions Cedar Grove Saints (7-0) defeated the Champion Chargers (5-2) 48-12 to advance to the semifinals.
Crispus Conner was the beneficiary of two of Graham’s TD passes and Joshua Walker caught a third as the Saints offense got on a roll in the second half.
Champion, the Region 2 runner-up, was still in the game going into the half down just 20-12. Cedar Grove, the Region 4 champion, scored once in the third quarter and three times in the fourth as the Saints pulled away to the win.
Isaiah Ratcliff scored three touchdowns in the game for Cedar Grove with one coming on a 99-yard interception return. David Blackmon added a 15-yard interception return for a score while Ahmad Keslon and Nick Brannon both added two-point conversions in the game.
Cedar Grove (7-0) and Stephenson (7-0) collide on Saturday (Oct. 31) at 12:00 pm in the second of two Trail to the Title semifinals set for Hallford Stadium. It is a rematch of last year’s 28-22 win by Cedar Grove which was also the matchup of undefeated teams.
Miller Grove 22, Henderson 14
Quarterback Danny Carter threw two touchdowns and ran for a third to rally the Miller Grove Wolverines (6-1) to a 22-14 victory over the Region 1 champs Henderson Cougars (5-2).
Henderson jumped out to an early 8-0 lead on the Wolverines, but Carter and his teammates pulled together to rally.
Carter connected twice with Terrance Edwards for touchdowns and ran for 45 yards for a TD. Deondre Jackson aided the Wolverine cause with 74 yards rushing in the game.
Tucker 38, Chapel Hill 0
The Tucker Tigers shutout the Chapel Hill Panthers 38-0 to advance to the Trail to the Title Playoffs semifinals.
Tucker led by Isaiah Dunson’s three touchdowns and 112 all-purpose yards (punt return for TD) led the way for the Tigers.
The duo of Quarius Smith (110 yards rushing, 1 TD, 1 2-point conversion) and Demetrius Thrower (91 yards rushing, 1 TD, 3 2-point conversions) added to the offensive attack for the Tigers who improved to 7-0 for the third consecutive season. Chapel Hill finishes 3-4 on the season.
Tucker (7-0) plays host to Miller Grove (6-1) in the first Trail to the Title semifinal at 10:30 am at Hallford Stadium on Saturday. It is Tucker’s third consecutive semifinal appearance. Miller Grove is making its fifth overall appearance in the semifinals and has advance three times on the way to winning the championship.
Trail to the Title Schedule
Saturday, Oct. 31
Semifinals
Tucker (7-0) vs. Miller Grove, Hallford, 10:30 am
Stephenson (7-0) vs. Cedar Grove (7-0), Hallford, 12:00 pm